Evidence for galanin as an inhibitory neuropeptide on myenteric cholinergic neurons in the guinea pig small intestine

The effect of galanin on the 3H]ACh release from myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle strips of the guinea pig small intestine was studied. While galanin did not alter the basal spontaneous efflux of ACh, it significantly depressed the ACh release evoked by electrical stimulation or caused by VIP and substance P. These results suggest an important neuromodulatory role for galanin in the enteric nervous system.